title: Regular consumption of a cocoa product improves the cardiometabolic profile in healthy and moderately hypercholesterolaemic adults.
abstract: Cocoa products present great health potential due to their high content of polyphenols, mainly of flavanols. However, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other health effects of regularly consuming cocoa products seem to depend on the intake and health status of the consumer, etc. and need to be further clarified. A randomised, controlled, cross-over, free-living study was carried out in healthy (n 24) and moderately hypercholesterolaemic (>2000 mg/l, n 20) subjects to assess the influence of regularly consuming (4 weeks) two servings (15 g each) of a cocoa product rich in fibre (containing 33·9 % of total dietary fibre (TDF) and 13·9 mg/g of soluble polyphenols) in milk v. consuming only milk (control) on (1) serum lipid and lipoprotein profile, (2) serum malondialdehyde levels, carbonyl groups, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and free radical-scavenging capacity, (3) IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and vascular and intracellular cell adhesion molecule levels, and (4) systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Throughout the study, the diet and physical activity of the volunteers, as well as any possible changes in weight or other anthropometric parameters, were also evaluated. The intake of TDF increased (P< 0·001) to the recommended levels. Serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were increased (P< 0·001), whereas glucose (P= 0·029), IL-1β (P= 0·001) and IL-10 (P= 0·001) levels were decreased. The rest of the studied cardiovascular parameters, as well as the anthropometric ones, remained similar. In conclusion, regularly consuming a cocoa product with milk improves cardiovascular health by increasing HDL-C levels and inducing hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effects in healthy and hypercholesterolaemic individuals without causing weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarriá
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martínez-López
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Bromatology I, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sierra-Cinos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Bromatology I, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Diz
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mateos
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), José Antonio Nováis 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bravo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D016207:Cytokines; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D059808:Polyphenols; D008315:Malondialdehyde